Helminth parasites of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and sympatric carnivores

AbstractFive critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral catsFelis catus, 12 Egyptian mongoosesHerpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genetsGenetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Doñana area (southern Spain).Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Doñana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas wereToxocara cati(1 lynx, 31% of cats),Joyeuxiella pasqualei(1 lynx, 21% of cats) andMesocestoidessp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus(Sphaerirostris)lanceaandCentrorhynchus(Longirostris)undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.

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Current Status Of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Eastern Sierra Morena, Southern Spain

Wildlife Biology in Practice ◽

10.2461/wbp.lynx.2 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

José María Gil-Sánchez ◽

Miguel Angel Simón ◽

Rafael Cadenas ◽

José Bueno ◽

Manuel Moral ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Spain ◽

Current Status ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Sierra Morena

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Prevalence of infection and 18S rRNA gene sequences of Cytauxzoon species in Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Spain

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118200700248x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 134 (7) ◽

pp. 995-1001 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

J. MILLÁN ◽

V. NARANJO ◽

A. RODRÍGUEZ ◽

J. M. PÉREZ DE LA LASTRA ◽

A. J. MANGOLD ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

The United States ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Sierra Morena ◽

Wild Felids

SUMMARYThe Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered felid in the world. Only about 160 individuals remain in 2 separate metapopulations in Southern Spain (Sierra Morena and Doñana). We obtained blood samples of 20 lynxes captured from 2004 to 2006, and determined the prevalence of infection and genetic diversity of Cytauxzoon spp. using 18S rRNA PCR and sequence analysis. Prevalence of infection was 15% (3 of 20). Cytauxzoon sp. was only detected in Sierra Morena. For phylogenetic analysis, we used the sequences reported in the present study and those characterized in different domestic and wild felids and ticks from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Three different Cytauxzoon sp. sequences were obtained. They were closely related to that obtained from a Spanish cat, but diverged in up to 1·0% with respect to the only previously reported sequence from an Iberian lynx. Conversely, the latter sequence clustered together with C. manul sequences obtained from Pallas cats (Otocolobus manul) in Mongolia. Our analysis yields a separate cluster of C. felis sequences from cats, wild felids and ticks in the United States and Brazil. These results suggest that at least 2 different Cytauxzoon spp. may be present in Iberian lynx. The apparent absence in one of the areas, together with the possibility of fatal cytauxzoonosis in lynxes makes necessary disease risks to be taken into account in management conservation strategies, such as translocations and re-introductions.

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Helminth fauna of the Iberian lynx, Lynx pardinus

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x00016473 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 221-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. Torres ◽

R. García-Perea ◽

J. Gisbert ◽

C. Feliu

Keyword(s):

Iberian Peninsula ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Helminth Fauna ◽

Helminth Species ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Toxocara Cati ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Toxascaris Leonina

AbstractSpecimens of 12 helminth species were collected from carcasses of eight Lynx pardinus (Temminck, 1827), a carnivore endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. These species included: Brachylaima sp. (12.5%) (Trematoda); Taenia pisiformis (12.5%), T. polyacantha (25%), T. taeniaeformis (25%) and Mesocestoides litteratus (37.5%) (Cestoda); Eucoleus aerophilus (12.5%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (12.5%), Toxocara cati (37.5%), Toxascaris leonina (62.5%), Vigisospirura potekhina potekhina (12.5%), Mastophorus muris (12.5%) and Physaloptera praeputialis (12.5%) (Nematoda). The helminth fauna in Iberian lynx is compared with that of L. canadensis and L. rufus in America, and for L. lynx in Eurasia. The potential relationships between the parasitological data and some geographical, historical and dietary factors are discussed.

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Helminth parasites in faecal samples from the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.058 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 179 (1-3) ◽

pp. 175-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

L. Acosta ◽

T. León-Quinto ◽

F.J. Bornay-Llinares ◽

M.A. Simón ◽

J.G. Esteban

Keyword(s):

Lynx Lynx ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Faecal Samples

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Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10030274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 274

Author(s):

Ana M. Figueiredo ◽

Luís Madeira de Carvalho ◽

María J. P. González ◽

Rita T. Torres ◽

Samuel Pla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Captive Breeding ◽

Parasite Burden ◽

Lynx Lynx ◽

Parasite Diversity ◽

Toxocara Cati ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Cross Transmission ◽

Egyptian Mongoose

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status. To achieve this, 79 fresh faecal samples from Iberian lynx and sympatric mesocarnivores were collected in the reintroduction area of Extremadura, Spain. Samples were submitted to copromicroscopic analyses to assess parasite diversity, prevalence, and mean intensity of parasite burden. Overall, 19 (24.1%, ±15.1–35.0) samples were positive for at least one enteric parasite species. Parasite diversity and prevalence were higher in the Iberian lynx (43.8%) compared with the others mesocarnivores under study (e.g., the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon). Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent (15.6%) parasites. Obtained results revealed that Iberian lynx role as predator control might have reduced parasite cross-transmission between this felid and mesocarnivores due to their decreasing abundances. Surveillance programs must include regular monitoring of this endangered felid, comprising mesocarnivores, but also domestic/feral and wild cat communities.

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